May 2017 Newsletter

May 2017 Newsletter

Confirmation
Congratulations again to our twelve pupils who were confirmed by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly in Nicker Church on March 29th. Sincere thanks to Fr. Burns for his help in preparing the children and also to our younger pupils who sang so beautifully in the choir.

First Holy Communion and Practices
We send very best wishes to Conor, James, Jack, Saoirse, Aisling, Sarah, Ava and Martha who are busy preparing to celebrate their First Holy Communion which will take place on Saturday 13th May at 11am in Templebraden Church. Thanks go to Ms. Hickey and to Fr. Burns for their work with these children. Practices for second class will take place on Wednesday 3rd May and Thursday 4th May, 1-2.30pm. These children should be collected at 12.50pm please. The choir (3rd-6th) will have practice on Friday 5th May, 1.30-2.30pm. These children should be collected at 1.20pm please. There will be a further practice and arrangements for same will be communicated as soon as possible. We thank all families for their cooperation.

Curragh Chase Forest Park
All pupils enjoyed a most informative and fun trip to Curragh Chase Forest Park on Monday April 3rd. We will shortly submit our work in order to achieve our L.E.A.F. Award.

Thanks to “The High Nelly”
We extend thanks to the proprietors of the High Nelly Bicycle Shop and Café who very kindly donated fifty euro of their Easter raffle takings to our school.

Travel Survey
In line with our green schools programme, pupils will take part in a travel survey at school later this month. Parents of first to sixth class pupils are thanked for their cooperation in completing the parents’ travel survey which may still be returned to school.

Improvements to Entrance Hall
Both pupils and teachers were delighted and excited to view our new-look front hall after the break. We thank the electrician, builders, plumber, painters and flooring specialists who worked hard to get the job completed before we re-opened. If you haven’t already seen our bright entrance hall, please do pop your head in! We are delighted with our new letterbox, insulation, painting, front radiator, flooring and new door to support room.

First Aid Training
All pupils had a most enjoyable first aid session with Maggie O’Brien on Thursday last. Maggie taught the junior children about cuts, bandages and who to call in an emergency while senior pupils learned CPR. We thank Maggie for her fun approach with the children.

Progress with Plaque of S.T.E.M. Excellence
The final step in our journey towards the Plaque of S.T.E.M. Excellence has been completed in the form of maths trails around the school which required the children to employ maths skills whilst engaging in scientific investigations. Senior pupils also studied nanotechnology. Our digital log of evidence is complete and will be submitted this week. We keep our fingers crossed that our efforts will reward us with the S.T.E.M. Plaque!

“In My Own Shoes”
Mary Dillon will present a relationships and sexuality workshop entitled “In My Own Shoes” to fifth and sixth class pupils on Thursday May 4th.

Standardised Testing
Standardised testing for first to sixth classes will take place during the week beginning May 29th. Pupils will be tested in English and Maths.

French Student
We look forward to welcoming our French student to fifth class on May 29th. He will be with us for two weeks.

Cumann na mBunscoil 7-A-Side Hurling
We were delighted to welcome Breda McGuinness and Ollie Coffey back to school last week in order to commence hurling training. Senior pupils must wear tracksuits on Wednesdays and Fridays and have hurleys, helmets and boots. Junior pupils should have same on Fridays. It seems that the 7-a-side hurling blitz for two teacher schools will take place on Tuesday 16th May after all at 12.30pm in Kilteely GAA Grounds. If there is any change in same again, it will be communicated.

School Tracksuit Sizing
Carmel from All Season Sports will be sizing for tracksuit on Monday May 8th from 11.30am to 12 midday. Should you wish to order a tracksuit and your child does not need to be sized, order forms may be returned to class teachers.

School Tracksuit Requirements
A significant variation in school tracksuit bottoms has crept in over the past number of weeks. The required tracksuit bottom is as was and may be purchased in the department stores. The school tracksuit bottom should be navy, non-branded, non-cuffed, loose fitting and in the same material as the crested tracksuit top. We thank you for your cooperation.

Shorts
We would like to remind you that boys may wear grey shorts with their uniforms for the month of June, if desired, and navy shorts may be worn by both boys and girls on P.E. days.

School Tour
Anticipation is building around the destination for our school tour which will take place on Friday June 9th. Related information and the associated consent forms will be distributed on Monday 8th.

Active Week
Active Week will take place during the week beginning June 12th. Pupils are reminded to wear tracksuits each day. We will celebrate Sports Day on Friday 16th.
Book Rental, School Fees and 2017/18 School Calendar
Booklists, summary of fees and calendar for the coming academic year 2017/18 will be distributed during the week beginning the 12th June. As in previous years, we offer the option that book rental and fees may be paid in instalments during June, September and October. We kindly request that bills are fully paid by the Halloween break.

End of Year Reports
End of year reports will be distributed to parents after school on Thursday 15th of June. In line with Department and NCCA regulations, the education passport is being used to transfer information on sixth class pupils to their new secondary school.

End of Year Liturgy and Graduation
Our end of year liturgy and graduation will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 20th June in the senior classroom. This occasion will present an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past academic year and to send good wishes to our eight second class pupils who are “stepping up” to the senior room and to our five sixth class pupils who are “stepping on” to secondary school. Refreshments will be served afterwards. We look forward to welcoming you all to this celebration!

Summer Holidays
School will close for summer holidays on Friday 23rd June at 12.15pm.

Dates to Remember

Mary Dillon (5th and 6th classes)- Thursday 4th May
Tracksuit Sizing- Monday May 8th, 11.30am-12midday
First Holy Communion- Saturday 13th May at 11pm
7-A-Side Hurling- Tuesday 16th May, 12.30pm in Kilteely
Standardised Testing (1st-6th classes)- Week beginning May 29th
School Tour- June 9th
Active Week- June 12th
Distribution of End of Year Reports- Thursday 15th June
Sports Day- Thursday 15th June
End of Year Liturgy and Graduation- Tuesday 20th June
Summer Holidays- Friday 23rd June

We look forward to a happy, busy, fun last term!
Thanking all families for your continued support.
Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan